Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1853).djvu/161

Rh any society of Christians, who shall have been previously licensed for this purpose by the court of the county. Quakers and Menonists, however, are exempted from all these conditions, and marriage among them is to be solemnized by the society itself.

A foreigner of any nation, not in open war with us, becomes naturalized by removing to the State to reside, and taking an oath of fidelity; and, thereupon, acquires every right of a native citizen; and citizens may divest themselves of that character, by declaring by solemn deed, or in open court, that they mean to expatriate themselves, and no longer to be citizens of this State.

Conveyances of land must be registered in the court of the county wherein they lie, or in the General Court, or they are void as to creditors and subsequent purchasers.

Slaves pass by descent and dower as lands do. Where the descent is from a parent, the heir is bound to pay an equal share of their value in money to each of his brothers and sisters.

Slaves, as well as lands, were entailable during the monarchy; but, by an act of the first Republican assembly, all donees in tail, present and future, were vested with the absolute dominion of the entailed subject.

Bills of exchange being protested, carry 10 per cent. interest from their date.

No person is allowed, in any other case, to take more than five per cent. per annum, simple interest, for the loan of moneys.

Gaming debts are made void, and moneys actually paid to discharge such debts (if they exceeded 40 shillings) may be recovered by the payer within three months, or by any other person afterwards.

Tobacco, flour, beef, pork, tar, pitch, and turpentine, must be inspected by persons publicly appointed, before they can be exported.

The erecting iron works and mills is encouraged by many privileges, with necessary cautions, however, to prevent their
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